Rank #7 in Best Wireless Earbuds 2026: 10 Ranked, and What the Battery Number Hides
Nothing Ear (3) Wireless Earbuds, Adaptive Noise Cancelling
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Nothing Ear (3) take seventh place in our wireless earbuds ranking. Nothing built its name on making gadgets look different, and the Ear (3) delivers that with transparent styling and a sound reviewers rate well above its modest price reputation. It has adaptive noise cancelling, a comfortable fit, a polished app with proper EQ, a wireless charging case and an unusually long three-year warranty, so for an Android user who wants character and control it is one of the more interesting pairs here at GBP 119.
On battery it is typical of a premium pair: around 6 hours per charge with ANC on, with the listing quoting up to 38 hours as the earbuds-plus-case total. Treat the 38 as the number of top-ups you carry, not the length of a single listen. The reason it sits mid-table rather than higher is evidence: with 994 ratings at 4.2 stars it is newer and less proven than the Apple, Bose and Anker pairs, its breakdown carries 10 per cent one-star, and Nothing is a younger brand without the long reliability record of Sony or Sennheiser. The spec sheet also prints the usual implausible "Sensitivity: 45 dB". The hardware is genuinely good; there is simply less history behind it. Everything here comes from the Amazon listing rather than our own testing.
How those 994 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.2 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Battery per charge | About 6 hours (ANC on)|"up to 38h" is with the case |
|---|---|
| Noise cancelling | Adaptive ANC |
| Driver | Dynamic |
| Charging case | Wireless charging |
| Warranty | 3 years|unusually long |
| App | Full EQ and controls |
| Impedance | 32 ohm |
| Sensitivity (as listed) | 45 dB|an implausible value |
| Model number | B173 |
| ASIN | B0FHWM1D2Y |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchaseVery happy with this product!
“I love it! People I talk to on the phone can hear me very well, even in super noisy places. I also love the noise reduction.”
Verified purchaseBest Earbuds Ever
“Best thing I've bought this year .. they're beautiful / magnificent!”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Wireless Earbuds 2026: 10 Ranked, and What the Battery Number Hides.
Rank #1
soundcore Anker P30i Wireless Earbuds, Adaptive Noise Cancelling
£23.99
Rank #2
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation
£179.00
Rank #3
soundcore Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds, 10mm Drivers
£19.99
Rank #4
CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Hi-Fi Sound, ANC
£59.00
Questions people ask
How long do the Nothing Ear (3) last on a charge?
Around 6 hours per charge with noise cancelling on, with the listing's "up to 38 hours" being the earbuds plus the case's recharges added together. The 6-hour single listen is typical for a premium ANC pair; the 38 is just how many top-ups the case carries.
What makes them stand out?
Design and software. The transparent styling is Nothing's signature, and the app gives you proper EQ and control that budget pairs lack. Reviewers rate the sound above what the price suggests, and the three-year warranty is unusually long for earbuds.
Why do they rank mid-table rather than higher?
On evidence, not hardware. With 994 ratings at 4.2 stars they are newer and less proven than the Apple, Bose and Anker pairs, their breakdown carries 10 per cent one-star, and Nothing is a younger brand without a long reliability record. Good earbuds, just a slightly bigger bet than the established names.
Are they good for Android?
Yes, they are aimed squarely at Android users who want character and control, and pair and manage cleanly through the Nothing app. On iPhone they work but you lose the app-driven extras that are part of their appeal.
Is the case wireless charging?
Yes, the box contents list a wireless charging case, so you can top it up on a Qi pad as well as by cable.
Should I buy these or a cheaper ANC pair?
Buy the Ear (3) for the design, the app and the sound if those matter to you. If you just want effective ANC for less, the CMF Buds Pro 2 — from Nothing's own budget brand — does a solid job for about half the price with far more reviews behind it.
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